Proverbs 4
1 Hear, you sons, the instruction of a father, And give attention to know understanding.
Listen, sons, to a father's instruction; pay attention and discover what makes sense,
2 For I have given to you good learning, do not forsake my law.
for what I am passing on to you is reliable. Don't reject my teachings.
3 For I have been a son to my father—tender, And an only one before my mother.
When I was a son with my father—a tender young boy, my mother's only child—
4 And he directs me, and he says to me: “Let your heart retain my words, Keep my commands, and live.
he was the one who taught me. He told me, “Pay attention to the words I say and keep them in mind; do what I tell you and you will live.
5 Get wisdom, get understanding, Do not forget, nor turn away From the sayings of my mouth.
Get wisdom, find out what makes sense. Don't forget my words or reject them.
6 Do not forsake her, and she preserves you, Love her, and she keeps you.
Don't give up on wisdom for she will keep you safe. Love wisdom and she will protect you.
7 The first thing [is] wisdom—get wisdom, And with all your getting get understanding.
The first thing in becoming wise is to get wisdom! Whatever else you gain, gain insight.
8 Exalt her and she lifts you up, She honors you when you embrace her.
Treasure wisdom, and she will praise you; embrace her, and she will honor you.
9 She gives a wreath of grace to your head, She gives you a crown of beauty freely.”
She will place on your head a wreath of grace; she will present to you a crown of glory.”
10 Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And years of life [are] multiplied to you.
Listen, my son, if you accept what I tell you, then you will live a long life.
11 I have directed you in a way of wisdom, I have caused you to tread in paths of uprightness.
I have explained to you the way of wisdom; I have guided you along the right paths.
12 In your walking your step is not restricted, And if you run, you do not stumble.
Nothing will block your way when you walk, you won't stumble when you run.
13 Lay hold on instruction, do not desist, Keep her, for she [is] your life.
Hold on to these instructions—don't let them go. Protect them, for they are life's foundation.
14 Do not enter into the path of the wicked, And do not be blessed in a way of evildoers.
Don't go the way of the wicked or follow the example of those who do evil.
15 Avoid it, do not pass over into it, Turn aside from it, and pass on.
Avoid that way completely. Don't go there! Turn away, and walk on.
16 For they do not sleep if they do no evil, And their sleep has been taken away violently, If they do not cause [some] to stumble.
Evil people won't rest until they've done something wrong; they can't sleep unless they've tripped someone up.
17 For they have eaten bread of wickedness, And they drink wine of violence.
For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
18 And the path of the righteous [is] as a shining light, Going and brightening until the day is established,
The way of life of the good is like the light of the sunrise, glowing brighter and brighter until the full light of day shines out.
19 The way of the wicked [is] as darkness, They have not known at what they stumble.
But the way of life of the wicked is like complete darkness; they don't even know what they're tripping over.
20 My son, give attention to my words, Incline your ear to my sayings,
My son, pay attention to what I tell you; listen to the words I'm saying.
21 Do not let them turn aside from your eyes, Preserve them in the midst of your heart.
Don't lose sight of them; think about them deeply,
22 For they [are] life to those finding them, And healing to all their flesh.
for they are life to anyone who finds them, and make the whole body healthy.
23 Above every charge keep your heart, For out of it [are] the outgoings of life.
Most of all, protect your mind, for everything in life flows from it.
24 Turn aside a contrary mouth from you, And put perverse lips far from you,
Don't ever lie, and don't say anything dishonest.
25 Your eyes look straightforward, And your eyelids look straight before you.
Focus on what's ahead of you; look at what's in front of you.
26 Ponder the path of your feet, And all your ways [are] established.
Pay attention to the path you decide to follow, and you'll be safe wherever you go.
27 Do not incline [to] the right or to the left, Turn aside your foot from evil!
Don't deviate to the right or the left, and turn away from evil.
